Karachi, Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) has officially partnered with Evolution and the U.S. Consulate in Karachi to launch an English language scholarship program aimed at bright, economically disadvantaged students.

According to Sindh Madressatul Islam University, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr. Mujeebuddin Sahrai Memon, Vice Chancellor of SMIU, and Ms. Sidrah Niaz, CEO of Evolution, at a ceremony attended by U.S. and Pakistani educational dignitaries. The English Access Scholarship Program, funded by the Regional English Language Office (RELO) through the U.S. Mission in Pakistan, will serve 150 students from SMIU Model School by enhancing their English language skills and digital literacy from May 2024 through February 2026.

The program is designed to prepare students for future academic and professional success by focusing not only on language acquisition but also on personal development. Classes will begin in June 2024 and be held three times a week. The initiative will also include a variety of extracurricular activities, such as field trips and professional development sessions, to enrich the students’ educational experience.

During the MoU signing, Dr. Sahrai highlighted SMIU’s commitment to fostering educational development and thanked the U.S. Consulate for its support. Ms. Anastasia Kolivas from the U.S. Consulate acknowledged the efforts of the Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC) in implementing the Access program across several universities, discussing potential future collaborations to further enhance Sindh’s higher education sector.

The agreement underscores a shared commitment to education and capacity building among students in Sindh, promising ongoing cooperation between SMIU, the U.S. Consulate, and local higher education institutions.